Key Tobacco-Case Ruling
On Ad-Fraud Is Expected

A federal judge is expected to rule any day on a motion with major implications for the largest government lawsuit ever filed against the tobacco companies.

Judge Gladys Kessler in U.S. District Court in Washington will decide whether to discard claims of advertising fraud and deception from the suit, filed by the Justice Department and accusing the cigarette industry of conspiring to deceive consumers about the dangers of tobacco and cigarettes. The suit seeks $289 billion in damages, as well as tough restrictions on the...